This is especially crucial when you’re on the dark web, as a leak can result in a criminal getting your information and using it to harm you, whether online or physically. This last one is easy – look for 256-bit AES encryption and nothing less. This is non-negotiable, as it’ll stop your real IP address from leaking if your VPN disconnects. Private Internet Access VPN is also reliable for unblocking Tor/the dark web in countries like Russia and Iran, so you can browse Riseup to your heart’s content regardless of your location. PIA is also the only VPN on my list with combined obfuscation and MultiHop – and NordVPN is the only VPN with both features in general, giving them an edge.
Best VPNs To Access The Dark Web Safely
The readers like you support Beencrypted to help keep up the good work. When you purchase using links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Most free VPNs for the dark web simply don’t meet that standard. They hold up under pressure, especially when paired with the Tor browser.
- This VPN is available on every major operating system and even has its own browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox.
- So there are parts of the dark web that you should certainly avoid from a legal standpoint.
- Our base speed before we connected to NordVPN averaged 538.07Mbps.
- The ISP can then suspect you’re doing something illegal, as Tor is, in most cases, used for the dark web.
- Unfortunately, not all VPNs are created equal, and it’s important to look beyond the marketing hype at what providers actually offer — which is exactly what we’ve done in this article.
Is It Illegal To Visit Dark Websites?
Now you can open Tor and explore the depths of our splendid internet to your heart’s content. As today’s topic is related to “tools” rather than “how-tos”, we won’t go that much into detail. Well, its performance could be slightly better and its monthly plans are an overstretch price-wise. However, sticking to Surfshark’s 2-year deals will be cost-efficient and make this provider extremely valuable.
Using the dark web isn’t as simple as opening a browser and typing in an address. Before diving in, you’ll need to download and configure several pieces of software that help encrypt and anonymize your data. If you want to improve your security further, you could also use a VPN at the same time as Tor. For the most security-conscious, you can even install the Tails operating system on a flash drive and run Tor from that.
Avoid altering any security settings in Tor that could reduce your protection. Each of these options offers unique privacy features, with Whonix and Qubes for higher security setups, and Kodachi and Liberté for portability. Choose a VPN known for strong encryption, a no-logs policy, and compatibility with various devices.
How To Use A VPN With Tor And Access The Dark Web
If you have any issues with your dark web-related travels, NordVPN’s customer support team is always available via 24/7 chat, email and a searchable knowledge base. NordVPN is the best VPN available for protecting your dark web activities from prying eyes. We are reader supported and sometimes earn a commission if you buy through a link on our site.
MULTI-LAYERED ENCRYPTION
And while they can’t read your traffic because it’s anonymized by Tor, the fact that they know that you’re using it is enough for you to be suspicious. Proton VPN is our fifth pick just because it’s a bit more expensive. Its 2-year plans won’t be as “forgiving” as Surfshark’s or CyberGhost’s equivalent. However, the VPN justifies its price through security and privacy, being one of the best in this category.
Is It Safe To Browse The Dark Web On A Phone?
But just like anywhere else on the internet, be wary of suspicious sites and use your common sense. Always remember – If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is. You can remain safe on the dark web, just proceed with caution and make sure you use one of the VPN providers we’ve recommended here. Your traffic and data on the browser may be safe, but not the other applications you use.
What Is WPA2 (Wireless Protected Access ?
Tor traffic is easy to identify, meaning that it’s trivial for network administrators and ISPs to block access. Although they are somewhat similar, Tor and VPN are distinctly different. For lots more detail about this subject, take a look at our Tor vs. VPN guide. Technically, there are ways to access the dark web other than through Tor, including a process that uses reverse proxies. But that’s not recommended from a security standpoint and requires far more technical understanding to set up.
Using Tor alone isn’t safe, as there are still concerns regarding your anonymity and privacy. A free dark web VPN will fully encrypt your traffic before you even connect to Tor. This way, it’ll hide your activities from your ISP and make you entirely anonymous. PrivadoVPN is one of the best VPNs available that works on the dark web. It offers unlimited bandwidth and strong encryption and follows a strict zero-logging policy, which makes it a perfect choice to use with Tor and the Dark web.
Best Free VPNs For The Dark Web: Safer Access
You can use a VPN in conjunction with Tor to prevent your ISP from knowing you’re accessing the dark web. Certain VPNs like NordVPN also include built-in antivirus tools that help prevent malware infections by scanning files before they’re allowed to be executed. It’s a modified version of Firefox that routes your internet traffic through the Tor network. You can also download and install Tails OS, an operating system that is built to work directly with the Tor network, but for the sake of simplicity, we’ll go with the Tor Browser for now. ExpressVPN narrowly misses our number one spot as NordVPN offers slightly more specialized dark web safety features, but dismissing ExpressVPN would be a mistake.
Is It Illegal To Use Tor?
Surfshark offers fast connection speeds, so no worries about connection slowdown while browsing the dark web. It’s well worth noting that steps 3 and 4 won’t be necessary if you’re using NordVPN or Proton VPN, as both of them offer built-in Tor support for accessing Onion sites. This means you can directly open the dark web and start exploring after you’ve connected to a NordVPN or Proton VPN server from their app.
How Do I Access Tor?
The network is comprised of thousands of volunteer-run servers known as Tor relays. That said, it’s essential to use a reliable VPN with robust leak prevention and a verified no-logs policy to ensure your activities are truly masked. This means your unsecured connection never touches Tor, so if a node is compromised, your data is still safe. But whatever it is, you need a VPN with premium security features to keep you safe. This increases the likelihood of faster speeds, as, normally, a double VPN is routed through two VPN servers instead of a proxy. Finally, ProtonVPN has a verified no-logging policy and is open-source, meaning you’re extra safe from anyone or anything demanding your logs.
